Crown of Feathers Oneshots

Proud Of Who You Are- Tristan & Cassian

Finally reading Wings of Shadow! I'm only at the beginning as of writing this, so there's not really any WOS spoilers here, though this oneshot would technically take place post-WOS

Tristan ran a hand through his hair. It felt a little odd- he hadn't ever actually let his hair grow until it was shoulder-length before. He knew that it'd happen someday, when he'd eventually have his hair braided with various objects- like many of the Phoenix Riders would do. But he'd never thought that it'd be happening now.

He went through his belongings, looking for objects that could be braided into his hair. He could start off with one of Rex's feathers, that didn't sound like a bad idea. Or he could use the half of the obsidian arrowhead he owned, and have Veronyka braid it into his hair. She already wore the half that he gave her in her hair.

Tristan smiled. That'd be nice. He wanted his first braid to be something special, and the arrowhead from his mother was definitely that. And what was more special than having the love of his life be the one to make that first braid?

He held the arrowhead gently in his hand, and stood up, ready to find Veronyka. When he turned to the door, he didn't expect to see his father standing at the doorway.

"Tristan," Cassian began. There was silence, as if he had planned to say something, only to forget what he'd wanted to say. "Your hair has grown longer."

Tristan nodded, not exactly sure what this was about. Cassian didn't often seek him out, and he had the feeling that this wasn't about the Empire, or anything like that. "Yes, it has."

Cassian stepped inside of the room, and it was only now that he noticed the box that was being held. It was simple, a dark red, rectangular box. He was familiar with most of the boxes in his father's quarters, most of them filled with various documents. But this one, he'd never seen before.

"Do you plan to have Veronyka braid your hair?" Cassian asked.

"Yes. Is there anything you need before I go see her?"

Cassian handed the box to him. "These were Olanna's."

Tristan's breathing stilled. He opened the box. Inside of it were were beads, shells and old phoenix feathers. They weren't vibrant, not after so many years.

"Where did you..." he murmured. Where did all of these objects come from, and why had Tristan never seen them before?

"She wore them on the day that she died," Cassian explained. "These were all I was able to salvage. I... I've had them for a long time, but I was never able to bring myself to look at them."

"Then why..." Why give it to me now?

"I thought that maybe you'd want to wear them."

The look on his father's face was oddly soft, then again, he had been softer recently.

"Would you like to braid my hair?" Tristan asked. He'd been planning for Veronyka to braid it, but he figured that Cassian could do it too.

Cassian's eyes widened just a little bit, just enough for Tristan to notice. He couldn't blame him, while they had grown closer over the last year, their relationship had been very strained. If it was Cassian who'd asked him, he'd probably be surprised too.

"Yes Tristan, I would like to do that."

The next few minutes were awkward, as they moved to the bed and adjusted themselves so they'd be comfortable. He  wasn't used to the sensation of someone else's hands running through his hair. Tristan couldn't remember the last time his father had ever been this affectionate with him, if ever.

"I haven't braided hair since your mother died," Cassian said.

"Did you braid her hair often?" Tristan asked.

"Only a few. She mostly preferred to make the braids on her own, but I often  watched her make them."

It wasn't much, but it was a little more he got to learn about his parents and their past. Neither of them knew what more to say, so they stayed silent. Tristan closed his eyes and focused on his father's hand, gentle to make sure the hair didn't tug too hard.

When the hands at his hair left, he opened his eyes.

"You look a little more like her now."

Tentatively, Tristan reached for his hair. He couldn't see how he looked like, but he could feel the beads against the braid. His first braid.

"I don't tell you this enough," Cassian said. "But I love you. And I'm proud of you."

The words caused him to feel warm and light. "Thank you."

Kinda short, but I did only come up with the idea this morning, so I'm pretty pleased.